The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a highly-maneuverable multi-role fighter aircraft. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]
Key Takeaways:
A Cessna 182 pilot, Ed Regan, violated restricted airspace (TFR) established for President Biden's protection over Southern California.
Two U.S. Air Force F-16s intercepted the Cessna, using radio calls, flares, and non-verbal maneuvers like a "headbutt" to gain the pilot's attention, who claimed not to hear the radio calls.
Pilots are required to check Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) for TFRs before every flight, information which is widely available and taught in ground school.
The FAA is investigating the incident, and the pilot could face sanctions ranging from warnings to license suspension or revocation, depending on the severity and intent of the violation.
The pilot of a Cessna 182 over Southern California had an up-close look at a pair of U.S. Air Force F-16s last week when he violated restricted airspace set up for the protection of President Biden.
The airplane was identified as a 1973 182P Skylane, N58960. It is registered to 68-year-old Ed Regan of Torrance, California.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
